itself

Universal Words pronoun 1 (the reflexive form of it) used when the animal or thing that does an action is also affected by it: The cat was washing itself. * Does the VCR turn itself off? * The company has got itself into difficulties. * There's no need for the team to feel proud of itself. 2 (used to emphasize an animal, a thing, etc.): The village itself is pretty, but the surrounding countryside is rather dull. IDIOMS be patience, honesty, simplicity, etc. itself to be an example of complete patience, etc: The manager of the hotel was courtesy itself. (all) by itself 1 automatically; without anyone doing anything: The machine will start by itself in a few seconds. 2 alone: The house stands by itself in an acre of land. in itself considered separately from other things; in its true nature: In itself, it's not a difficult problem to solve. to itself not shared with others: It doesn't have the market to itself.